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BRUSSELSSPRING & SUMMER GUIDE 2012The best places to eat, sleep and playin Brussels this spring and summerWith more than 60 million reviews and opinions, TripAdvisor makes travelplanning a snap for more than 50 million travelers visiting our site each month.Think before you print. And if you do print, print double-sided.

INTRODUCTIONTripAdvisor, the most trusted source for where to eat, sleep and play in thousands of destinations aroundthe world, has collected the best insider tips from its 50 million monthly visitors to produce a uniqueseries of travel guides. In addition to the best hotels, restaurants and attractions for every type of traveler,you’ll get great advice about what to pack, how to get around and where to find the best views. Be sureto check out the guides at www.tripadvisor.com.InsideYou’ll find reviews for more than 555,000hotels, 200,000 vacation rentals, 175,000attractions and 780,000 restaurants onTripAdvisor.com. Learn from other travelerswhat to expect before you make your plans.TRAVEL TIPS1. Bring your raincoat and waterproof shoes!Brussels is notoriously wet. “On rainy days, you canstill stroll and shop in the Galeries St. Hubert, GalerieLouise, and Woluwe Shopping Center.”—TripAdvisorMember, Brussels2. Get a discount on your hotel stay: Since thegovernment workers clear out of Brussels at theend of the workweek, “weekend specials can be asteal!”—TripAdvisor Member, San Francisco, Calif.3. Make sure to schedule your activities: In general,“shops are closed on Sundays and open on Mondays,and museums are closed on Mondays and open onSundays.”—TripAdvisor Member, Brussels.4. Don’t miss out on the local delicacies: “Many of theworld’s best beers are available in Brussels. The localspecialty is lambic, a sour beer” hard to find outside ofBelgium.—TripAdvisor Member, Minneapolis, Minn.BRUSSELSBrussels, the capital of Belgium and center of the EuropeanUnion, is more than just bureaucrats and businesspeople. It’sa vibrant city, famous for luxurious shopping malls, royalmuseums and bustling squares. Explore the medieval streetswinding through the city center, and you might come upon theManneken Pis, Brussels’ most famous ambassador, wearing oneof his hundreds of quirky costumes.Visitors to Belgium often crave chocolate, beer and waffles,items that Brussels has in abundance. Head to a bar and you’llbe presented with an imposing menu listing choices in thethousands. Ask a local, and you’ll receive a detailed descriptionof a tiny storefront selling the best sweets in town.Just a hop, skip and a river cruise away from romantic Bruges,and separated from Paris, London and Amsterdam by onlya short train ride, Brussels is an excellent destination for aweekend getaway. But don’t forget your umbrella! Brussels’temperatures may be moderate, but high humidity is constantthroughout the year.tripadvisor.com2

TopVIEWSBRUSSELS’ BEST VIEWS“I highly recommend the roof-top café atthe Musical Instruments Museum—ithas a great view of Brussels.”—TripAdvisorMember, BrusselsMusical Instruments Museum (Musée desInstruments de Musique), Montagne de laCour Hofberg 2, 2 545 0130Whereto“If you’re an early riser, have breakfast at LaBrouette between 8 and 9. It’s the only caféopen on the Grand-Place at that time. You’llhave the Place to yourself before the hordesarrive.”—TripAdvisor Member, New YorkLa Brouette, Grande-Place 2/3, 2 511 5494PLAY“When in the Marollen, take the free elevator.It brings you right up to a fantastic viewover the city.” You’ll be left standing at thefoot of the Palace of Justice, which will“overwhelm you with its vast size and theheight of its cupola.”—TripAdvisor Member,Utrecht, NetherlandsPalace of Justice (Palais de Justice), PlacePoelaert 1, 2 508 6578TOP 10 Attractions1. Grand-Place7. Musee Rene Magritte, 135 rue Esseghem, 2 428 26262. Horta Museum (Musée Horta), Rue Americaine 25, 2 543 04908. Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History, Parc duCinquantenaire - Jubelpark, 2 737 78113. Le Tapis de Fleurs - Flower Carpet, Hôtel de Ville - Grand-Place, 2 513 89404. Parlamentarium, Rue Wiertz 60, Bâtiment Willy Brandt5. Museum des Sciences Naturelles, Chaussee de Wavre 260, 2 627 42386. Royal Museum for Central Africa (Musee Royal de l’Afrique Central),Leuvensesteenweg 13, Tervuren, 2 769 52119. Musical Instruments Museum (Musee des Instruments de Musique), RueMontagne de la Cour 2, 02 545 013010. St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral (Cathedrale St-Michel et Ste-Gudule),Parvis Sainte-Gudule, Treurenberg Hill, 2 217 8345FAMILIESNear the Atomium is “Mini-Europe, aminiature display of famous buildingsand landmarks across Europe. Severalof the models were interactive, such asthe bullfight in Seville with crowds yelling‘toro’ and Mount Vesuvius, which smokedand steamed while the platform shook.”—TripAdvisor Member, Australia“The Museum des Sciences Naturelles is anexcellent museum to visit. It’s very large andthe display of dinosaurs is very professional.There is a skeleton of a blue whale on theceiling of one room, which is an amazing viewas you can nearly touch it. Our kids also hada good time in the hands-on workshop.”—TripAdvisor Member, Westerlo, BelgiumThe Atomium, a massive silver atom leftover from the 1958 Expo, is Brussels’ mostdistinctive building. “Using the futuristicelevator made me feel like I was part ofa Star Trek set. There is a range of kids’activities, a cleverly designed café anda viewing area overlooking the city.”—TripAdvisor Member, Newport, U.K.Mini-Europe, Bruparck, 2 478 0550Museum des Sciences Naturelles, RueVautier 29, 2 627 4238Atomium, Boulevard de Centenaire,2 475 4775ROMANCEBelgium is a small country, and Brussels isconnected to many other cities by high-speedrail lines, including medieval Bruges, “aromantic town with endless cobblestonelanes, horse drawn carriages, colorful streetmarkets” and winding canals that have earnedit the nickname ‘Venice of the North.’”—TripAdvisor Member, Sydney, Australia“If you want something you won’t find in justany brand name store, you have to go tothe Dansaert. From the latest over-thetop creations to luxury second-hand shops,it’s difficult to resist temptation. This areais also the place to find a nice terrace or atrendy café.”—TripAdvisor MemberRue Antoine DansaertBruges, About 100 kilometers northwest ofBrusselsCall an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716“Walk to the Grand Sablon and the PetitSablon for a little antique browsing” anda sweet treat from the local purveyorsof fine candy. “Buy some chocolates atPierre Marcolini for a taste of some of thebest Belgium has to offer.”—TripAdvisorMember, BrusselsPierre Marcolini Chocolatier, Rue desMinimes, 2 514 1206tripadvisor.com 3

WheretoPLAYBUDGET“The Cathedral is beautiful inside and out.I enjoyed seeing the stained glass windows,statues and artwork. What I enjoyed themost, however, was how uncrowded it was!I was able to walk through at a slow paceand really enjoy it without feeling rushed.”—TripAdvisor Member, Tualatin, OregonSt. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral(Cathédrale des Saints Michel et Gudule),Parvis Sainte-Gudule, 2 217 8345“We were fortunate that we arrived at theGrand-Place in the middle of a beautifulsunny afternoon, with the light glinting off thegilded halls. Hitting the chocolate shops is agreat way to enjoy the square, but mostly youjust want to spend time here, appreciatingthe majesty of artistic accomplishment.”—TripAdvisor Member, New JerseyGrand-PlaceADVENTURE“If you’re into quirky antiques or garage salehunting, you should definitely check out theantique market at Jeu de Balle. Go early anddon’t be afraid to haggle! It’s a little-known,cooler area of Brussels and worth checking outto find an inexpensive and unique keepsake.”—TripAdvisor Member, Madison, Wis.Flea Market Jeu de Balle, Place du Jeu de Balle“We rode all over Brussels on streets,sidewalks and park lawns, stopping every sooften to get a history lesson or a bit of trivia.We eventually stopped for lunch and had beerand fries. Brussels Bike Tour was so muchfun, and it made the beer taste even better.”—TripAdvisor Member, Los Angeles, Calif.Brussels Bike Tours, Grand Place,48 489 8936“Whilst agreeing that the Manneken Pis ismuch smaller than you’d expect of such awell-known tourist sight, this famous statueof a urinating boy is worth a short walk fromthe Grand-Place. Don’t miss the hundredsof his costumes on display on the topfloor of the Maison du Roi.”—TripAdvisorMember, Grantham, U.K.Manneken Pis, Corner of Rue du Chene andRue de l’Etuve Maison du Roi, Grand-Place,2 279 4350“The beer at Cantillon is like nothing you’vehad before. Since 1900, the brewery hasmade traditional lambic beer. The tour isself-guided, and the entire building is open forexploration. There are hundreds of oak barrelsand thousands of bottles.” The admission feeincludes samples of the gueuze or kriek beers.—TripAdvisor Member, Minneapolis, Minn.Cantillon Brewery, Rue Gheude 56,2 521 4928EDUCATIONAL/HISTORICALOne of Belgium’s most famous sons, thesurrealist artist René Magritte has notone, but two museums in Brussels. Visitorscan explore the house in which Magritteworked for almost 24 years, or head tothe Royal Museums of Fine Arts to viewa “fantastic exhibition of his paintings,photography, sculptures and graphics.”—TripAdvisor Member, Hamburg, GermanyRené Magritte Museum, Rue Esseghem 135,2 428 2626Musée Magritte, Royal Museums of FineArts, Rue de la Régence 3, 2 508 3211“Set in a lovely Art Nouveau building, the MIMcontains almost every musical instrumentimaginable. When you stand in front of certaininstruments, you will automatically hear arecording of that instrument. The displays areinteresting and informative, and our childrenenjoyed the hands-on acoustic activities.”—Edmonton, AlbertaMusical Instruments Museum (Musée desInstruments de Musique), Montagne de laCour Hofberg 2, 2 545 0130RELAXATIONEnjoy the view of nature from “the tram(44) between Montgomery and Tervuren,which runs through the Forêt de Soignes.At Tervuren, it’s a short walk to the RoyalMuseum of Central Africa, whichis surrounded by formal gardens.”—TripAdvisor Member, BrusselsExplore the extensive royal lands at thePark of Laeken. In inclement weather “youcan visit the Japanese Tower and theChinese Pavilion,” intricate structuresconstructed by King Leopold II and housingcollections of rare porcelain and Asian art.—TripAdvisor Member, Cambridge, Mass.Royal Museum of Central Africa(Musée Royal de l’Afrique Central),Leuvensesteenweg 13, Tervuren, 2 769 5211Japanese Tower and Chinese Pavilion(Musées d’Extrême-Orient), Park of Laeken,Avenue Van Praet 44, 2 268 1608Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716“Musée Horta was an unexpected delight.The interior of this four-story home is an ArtNouveau masterpiece. We walked aroundawestruck by the sheer beauty. Not a singledetail had been overlooked. The top level isthe icing on the cake, with an amazing glassroof.”—TripAdvisor Member, United StatesHorta Museum (Musée Horta), RueAmericaine 25, 2 543 0490TripAdvisor members have posted morethan 10 million traveler photos on thesite. The good, the bad and the verycandid. It’s almost like being there!“If you feel like a walk, go to Stockel andtake the steps at the back of the metrostation. These will bring you out ontothe Promenade du Chemin de Fer, aconverted rail line that runs behind ParcMalou, over the Avenue de Tervueren andinto the Parc de la Woluwe.”—TripAdvisorMember, BrusselsPromenade du Chemin de Fertripadvisor.com 4